Living Learning Communities

APIDA Scholars (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American)

Whether you identify as South Asian, Southeast Asian, East Asian, Southwest Asian, Pacific Islander, biracial or multiracial APIDA, these dynamic and active communities explore the broad and rich diversity of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community. Supported by campus partners and student cultural organizations, we have in-depth discussions, fun social activities, and cultural celebrations. You'll have various opportunities to learn more about APIDA identities, get connected to campus organizations, and make friendships that last a lifetime. Whether you have had strong ties to your APIDA identity your entire life or this is the first time you are exploring it, we welcome you!

 Location: Anacapa Residence Hall, Santa Ynez Apartments

Black Scholars

The Black Scholars Community is dedicated to enriching the collegiate experiences of Black/African American students on this campus by providing our residents with academic, social, and cultural resources. We collaborate with campus departments and student organizations to help provide well-rounded support to our residents and get them connected to staff and faculty who look like them. We recognize the importance and value of building the bridge to ensure that our Black Scholars Community is connected to Black faculty and staff and with each other. We are invested and committed to cultivating a thriving community to support our Black scholars’ well-being and overall success. We are invested in each other’s success, strengthening our community, and empowering future leaders of change!

Location: Santa Rosa Residence Hall, San Joaquin Villages

Chicanx/Latinx Scholars

¡Bienvenido! The Chicanx/Latinx Scholars communities are dedicated to the advancement and success of our Latine students here at UCSB. UCSB is a Hispanic Serving Institute (HSI) and we want to represent our vast array of cultures in this community to celebrate and uplift one another. Our communities are for those who identify within the Latine community or are interested in exploring diverse and rich identities and cultures within the Latine community. You'll always feel at home and supported in our communities whether you are in our residence halls or apartments. Supported by campus partners and student cultural organizations, we have in-depth discussions, fun social activities, and cultural celebrations. We hope you join our familia as we welcome you with open arms.

Location: Santa Cruz Residence Hall, San Joaquin Villages

College of Creative Studies Community

The College of Creative Studies (CCS) is home to fewer than 400 undergraduate students in our residence hall! Many of whom reside in the CCS living learning community due to its uniquely supportive, engaging, and academic environment. Being in Santa Rosa, this community is located right next to the College of Creative Studies itself! CCS attracts driven and focused undergrads who typically pursue an accelerated course of study and are expected to partner with faculty in creating new knowledge through research opportunities and creative activity. Activities within the first year CCS floor include meals with faculty, study groups, advising sessions, and other social opportunities. Unique to the UCSB undergraduate experience, we hope those who are in CCS join us in our community!

Location: Santa Rosa Residence Hall

First-Generation Scholars

Are you a first generation college student? This Living Learning Community provides additional resources and mentorship that will help you feel comfortable as you learn the ins and outs of college. While the definition of the term “first generation” can vary, students who come from families without past or with partial college experience will appreciate living in this helpful environment with others from similar backgrounds. Understanding financial aid; registering for classes; choosing a major; figuring out housing options; and exploring extracurricular activities; are among the programs and activities you can expect while having fun with others who share this new collegiate adventure! We hope you join our community and we look forward to seeing your journey here at UCSB.

Location: Santa Catalina Residence Hall

First Year Residential Experience (FYRE)

The best part of living on FYRE is that almost all our undergraduate students have an opportunity to enroll in Education 20, “Introduction to the Research University” during Spring Quarter. This is a unique and special opportunity to have priority for a class before other students. Everyone can be classmates as well as hallmates to better your experience with academics and adapting to a social collegiate experience! FYRE brings so many university resources right to the students, like academic advisors and faculty. We also have staff that really  help us make our first year a memorable one. Consider FYRE when you live with us for an educational mash-up, combining living and learning for your first year on campus!

Location: Santa Cruz Residence Hall 

Lavender Living (LGBTQIA+ community)

Lavender Living is a new LGBTQIA+ housing option in Gibraltar Village of Santa Ynez. This is a safe and supportive environment for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ or as allies of the community. This is a space to develop, foster, and explore identity as well as get connected to LGBTQIA+ resources inside and outside of the Lavender Living LLC. For more information about identities that are supported by the Lavender Living LLC check out the Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity’s LGBTQIA+ Glossary. Please note, on move-in day, students can expect a neutral environment that is not indicative of our theme so as to protect the privacy of individuals that are not yet “out” to family or friends moving them in. Please know that prejudice and hate will NOT be tolerated in the Lavender Living community, nor any community at UCSB. This is first and foremost a space for LGBTQIA+ identified individuals to feel safe and to prosper. You will interact with a diverse and resilient community of Lavender Living LLC residents. To inquire about gender inclusive housing options, such as our SAGE Community, available for students that identify as trans* or non-binary, please contact University & Community Housing Services.

Location: Santa Ynez Apartments

Native Scholars

In Šmuwič, the language of the Chumash people, "Kiyuš’išmoč’mu" is the word for "The place where we gather."  The Kiyuš’išmoč’mu Living & Learning Community (pronounced key-oosh-ish-moch-moo and colloquially known as the Native Scholars House) is a space designed to provide support, resources, and community for Native American, American Indian, and Indigenous college students.  By providing cultural, social, and academic resources, this community aims to uplift and empower Native and Indigenous students to navigate university life. This community works closely with the American Indian and Indigenous Student Association as well as the American Indian and Indigenous Cultural Resource Center to connect students to other members of the broader Native community both within and outside of UC Santa Barbara.

Location: Manzanita Village

Rainbow House

Rainbow House is an LGBTQIA+ housing program located in Condor and LaCumbre Houses at Manzanita Village. This is a safe and supportive environment for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ or as allies of the community. This is a space to develop, foster, and explore identity as well as get connected to LGBTQIA+ resources inside and outside of the Rainbow House. For more information about identities that are supported by the Rainbow House check out the Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity’s LGBTQIA+ Glossary. Please note, on move-in day, students can expect a neutral environment that is not indicative of our theme so as to protect the privacy of individuals that are not yet “out” to family or friends moving them in. Please know that prejudice and hate will NOT be tolerated in the Rainbow House, nor any community at UCSB. This is first and foremost a space for LGBTQIA+ identified individuals to feel safe and to prosper. You will interact with a diverse and resilient community of Rainbow House residents. To inquire about gender inclusive housing options, such as our SAGE Community, available for students that identify as trans* or non-binary, please contact University & Community Housing Services.

Location: Manzanita Village

SAGE Community

The Sex and Gender Expansive (SAGE) community is for students with gender identities beyond the traditional binary of cisgender man or woman, including transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, agender, gender queer, gender questioning, and students with other gender expansive identities and experiences. Students who find themselves outside the rigid biological categories of male or female, including intersex and medically transitioning people. Students who are committed to gender equity and to centering the experience of gender and sex expansive community members. If you are looking for affirming housing and feel that the SAGE Floor could not provide that for you, please contact University & Community Housing Services.

Location: San Nicolas Residence Hall

Scholars Communities

Are you looking for a more academically-focused living environment? Many of the university's Regent Scholars, Chancellor’s Scholars, Honors at Entrance students (Letters & Science Honors Program and College of Engineering Honors Program) or Honors students will find a great community here, but all are welcome! We create opportunities for you to connect with faculty, have study groups and thought-provoking workshops, as well as social events. Our communities focus on academic and holistic success in a supportive and engaging manner. We hope you consider joining one of our many Scholars communities while staying with us here at UCSB. We look forward to your scholarly achievements and being part of your journey.

Location: Anacapa Residence Hall

Student Engagement & Enrichment in Data Science (SEEDS)

The SEEDS LLC is a Data Science Living and Learning Community for UCSB students of color and is led by prominent UCSB Faculty. This program will be for incoming, current, and transfer students that prioritize professional outcomes, small cohort-based learning, and opportunities for interdisciplinary and convergent learning. A unique experience for college students by being mentored and taught hands-on by UCSB faculty, students must apply to be a SEEDS Scholar. Selected students will be placed in one of three LLCs: The Black Scholars LLC located in Santa Rosa Residence Hall and San Joaquin Villages, The Chicanx/Latinx Scholars LLC located in Santa Cruz Residence Hall and San Joaquin Villages, and the Native Scholars LLC located in Manzanita Village. For more information about these buildings, visit Housing Options. We hope you can join us in our SEEDS LLC! Please contact Sharon Tettegah, PhD., Black Studies for more details.

Location: Manzanita Village, Santa Cruz Residence Hall, Santa Rosa Residence Hall, San Joaquin Villages

Women in STEM

Do you identify as a woman in STEM? Our Women in STEM Living Learning Community is housed in Manzanita Village, and is open to any woman studying in the fields of math, physics, life sciences, chemistry and engineering. We aim for our community to be an inclusive, equitable, empowering, and supportive space for our female-identifying residents in this space. With the traditionally low representation of women in the STEM field, we hope that residents find community and a support system to better their experience at UCSB both in and outside the classroom. In collaboration with faculty and campus organizations, we will connect residents in this community with other like-minded women on campus who will be our future Nobel Laureates, scientists, engineers, and more!

Location: Manzanita Village